I can't pretend to understand the situation of Muslims who live in France, but I do know that it's volatile. For those like me who would like a primer on the issues, Spiegel On-Line has an overview of the life of Muslims in France. The article cites "discrimination on a daily basis: when their tickets are checked on the metro, when they have to meet the bouncer’s approval to enter a disco, when they go in for a job interview and when they apply for a bank loan" Observers say it's not a question of integration, but of Muslims being characterized by their religion, which is viewed with suspicion and distrust. And a bickering local Muslim Council has been unable to provide leadership that would ameliorate the situation. All-in-all, a fascinating read.
Related to this story, from The Washington Post via French Culture Now: estimates that Muslims make up 60 to 70 percent of France's prison population.
Given the historical fact that the French revolution set the principles of universal fraternity, equality and brotherhood, the latest laws introduced in France regarding banning the Muslim girls and women to wear the scarf in Schools and the public places,is not a liberal and candid symbol to validate or honour the symbolic norms of cultural diversities as sanctioned by the UNESO's charter.
Posted by: Syed Qamar Afzal Rizvi | May 06, 2008 at 04:25 AM